Dear
Team,
First, I
should tell you where I’m coming from. I think about the children. I’m not
always right, and I’m not always equally fair to absolutely everyone, but the first and foremost
thought running through my mind is the children, both collectively and as a
cluster of individuals.
I want
the children to have the best experience they can in the space I am in - with the other
individuals they are with, both adult and child. Now, I don’t mean I want them to be happy all the
time. That’s not a realistic possibility, but I want them to be safe, valued and
heard. I want them to feel connected to the learning community as well as the world as a whole. I want them to be
on a journey of discovering who they are as an individual in this life.
One of
the aspects of my role is to give directions and guidance in regards to
interacting and supervising, setting up of learning spaces, routine tasks, as
well as workplace health and safety. I don’t give
directions because I enjoy doing it. I do it because I need to. I am trying to manage and lead a service
community which is made up of children and their families, our local community,
educators and the many other individuals who step inside our door. It’s not
easy. I need your understanding and your assistance.
I want
the children to be safe, well and engaged – getting the most out of the moments
they are in. This means we have to create dynamic learning environments that
will encourage children to play and learn. We should engage with the children with
respect and not take overpower them. We need to move around and spread ourselves across the space and the children. Parking ourselves at the art table because we like crafting ourselves isn't what we are here for. We need to 'work the party' and be accessible to all, not just the few.
I want
the educators to be safe. I don’t want you to injure yourself or your colleagues. I don’t want to see you stressed and miserable. I want you to enjoy the great
many hours you are spending at work. I want to mentor you and support you as evolving and growing professionals. You’re not here
to babysit or be babysat yourself. I want you to be the best educators you can
possibly be. This is something we can work on together, but only if you will let me.
I’m not
the perfect leader, but I can promise you I am trying my best. My best will fluctuate
from one moment to another, one day to another. That doesn’t mean I’m inconsistent,
it means I’m human, like you. It also means that I am growing. I too evolve as
a professional and learn new things each and every day.
You and
I are legally responsible for the children in our care. That means, each and
every thing you do, don’t do, say or don’t say has consequences. Now these
consequences might be minor, a scratch on a knee because you didn't speak to your colleagues about leaving the room for a moment, but they might also be major and result in a trip to the hospital with a fracture. We hold the children’s
lives in our hands. We are answerable to the child – both the child as they are
now and also as they will be as an adult. This is why records are kept until children
are 25 years old.
We answer to the child’s parents and families. We answer to our managers at every level. We are also answerable to the licensing
and regulatory bodies as well as the law. Please do not take this responsibility
lightly, I don’t.
Please work with me. Together we could achieve so very much, but it is something we need to do together, as a team. I cannot do this alone.
Kind Regards,
Your
Leader
